Black Dog Institute Measure of Parental Style (MOPS)

www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

MEASURE OF PARENTAL STYLE (MOPS)

The Measure of Parental Style (MOPS) was developed to overcome some

shortcomings in the Parental Bond Instrument.
The MOPS is a self-assessment tool used to measure perceived parenting styles
across the following three measures:

Indifference
Abuse
Overcontrol.

Scoring instructions:
Items 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 relate to the Indifference measure
Items 2, 7, 9, 14, 15 relate to the Abuse measure
Items 1, 3, 4, 6 relate to the Overcontrol measure.
Sum the scores of the responses to items in each of the three categories to
produce a total score for each category.
There is no cut-off score; the total score for each category provides a
dimensional measure showing the degree to which that parental style was
experienced by an individual.

Reference:
Parker, G., Roussos, J., Hadzi-Pavlovic, D., Mitchell, P., Wilhelm, K. and Austin,
M-P. (1997) The development of a refined measure of dysfunctional parenting
and assessment of its relevance in patients with affective disorders.
Psychological Medicine, 1997, 27, 1193-1203.

This document may be freely downloaded and distributed on condition no change is made to the content. The information in this document is not intended as a substitute
for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Not to be used for commercial purposes and not to be hosted electronically outside of the Black Dog Institute
website. www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

Black Dog Institute Measure of Parental Style (MOPS)

www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

During your first 16 years how true are the following

statements about your MOTHERs behaviour towards you

During your first 16 years how true are the following

statements about your FATHERs behaviour towards you

Rate each statement either as:

0 - not true at all
1 - slightly true
2 - moderately true
3 - extremely true

Rate each statement either as:

0 - not true at all
1 - slightly true
2 - moderately true
3 - extremely true

1.

Overprotective of me

1.

Overprotective of me

2.

Verbally abusive of me

2.

Verbally abusive of me

3.

Over controlling of me

3.

Over controlling of me

4.

Sought to make me feel guilty

4.

Sought to make me feel guilty

5.

Ignored me

5.

Ignored me

6.

Critical of me

6.

Critical of me

7.

Unpredictable towards me

7.

Unpredictable towards me

8.

Uncaring of me

8.

Uncaring of me

9.

Physically violent or abusive of me

9.

Physically violent or abusive of me

10. Rejecting of me

10. Rejecting of me

11. Left me on my own a lot

11. Left me on my own a lot

12. Would forget about me

12. Would forget about me

13. Was uninterested in me

13. Was uninterested in me

14. Made me feel in danger

14. Made me feel in danger

15. Made me feel unsafe

15. Made me feel unsafe

This document may be freely downloaded and distributed on condition no change is made to the content. The information in this document is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Not to be used for commercial purposes and not to be hosted electronically outside of the Black Dog Institute website. www.blackdoginstitute.org.au